Apr 16, 2009 7:56 pm US/Eastern
NJ Police Seek Suspect In A Dozen Sex Attacks
LEONIA, N.J. (CBS) ―
Several police departments are on the hunt for a man who's been targeting women in New Jersey.
Investigators believe that the same suspect is behind a dozen sexual assaults and attempted assaults in Bergen County.
Palisades Park police have released a sketch of the suspect, as have the police in Englewood. They believe it's the same man.
The latest attack occurred in Leonia at 7 a.m. Tuesday.
A woman in her fifties, who lives in nearby Palisades Park, was out for a long walk when she was suddenly attacked.
"He grabbed her from behind, put his hand over her mouth, knocked her to the ground and tried to take off her pants," Leonia Police Department Chief Jay Ziegler said. "She struggled with him and screamed."
The screams brought a nearby resident racing to her aid, and the attacker fled.
Leonia resident Bernie Sawyer says it happened in front of his house.
"I was just as surprised as anyone," Sawyer said. "[I heard] absolutely nothing."
The day before, in Englewood, another woman was attacked.
"[A witness] saw a lady, 40 years, appeared to be Hispanic, grabbed from behind by a black male in his early twenties," Englewood Police Lt. Lawrence Suffern said.
A passing motorist scared the man away.
Police say the attacks have happened in Leonia, Palisades Park, Englewood and Hackensack – a total of 12 since last June.
Residents are becoming more and more concerned.
"It's breathtaking," Englewood resident Celestine Trott says. "I hope they catch him."
"I can't imagine why this man can't be caught," Carol Waack, of Leonia, says.
Police are warning women who jog and walk to be aware of their surroundings and avoid being alone.
Police believe the attacker, in his twenties, is about six-feet tall, with a slim or medium build.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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